A statement explaining the situation which arose recently regarding orthodox Jewish internees was issued today by Saul Hayes, executive director of the United Jewish Refugee and War Relief Agencies. He added that “all is now well and has been for some time.” His statement said:
“The situation about the purported infamous order is best explained by the statement that a group of orthodox internees in November, 1940, quite properly refused to work on Saturdays. The Internment Operations Department was quite content with their attitude and had things been left at this pass no trouble would have developed. However, the work that is normally done on Saturdays entails payment at 20 cents per day and is done” outside the camp compound in a forestry project under guard. When the orthodox Jews observed their scruples it meant that they would not participate in paid work on Saturday. As compensation they asked for Sunday work. It was not as easy as that since the guards get Sundays off for church attendance and visits home. Without guards accompanying the working party outside the compound, work cannot be provided. Under the circumstances there were no guards available for Sunday work and the result is that the orthodox Jewish internees, because of their desire to observe the Sabbath, could not obtain work (for pay) on Sunday. They were asked to do the regular fatigue duties in the camp compound (on Sunday) for which there is neither by custom nor by international convention any provision for payment. Non-orthodox Jews also do fatigue duty.
“The orthodox Jews construed the impossibility of the camp authorities providing paid work on Sunday as a punishment for their Sabbath observance, which was an unfortunate and unnecessary interpretation for them to draw. At no time did they have to work on Saturdays but if they desired to keep the Sabbath, the camp routine, the necessary Sunday rest day for the guards, etc., made a Sunday work day impossible.
“The trouble commenced at this point with a minority section of the orthodox group. It should be stated that the orthodox group as a whole were not anxious to create a difficult situation and one involving a lack of compromise, but a certain section were unyielding and unbending and refused to take into account any of the unforeseen difficulties arising out of the internment of refugees.”
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